Orlando Magic & Phoenix Suns
Spread: Suns -16.5
Total: 222.5
Orlando Magic Injuries:
Moritz Wagner - Out
Phoenix Suns Injuries:
Frank Kaminsky – Out
Cameron Payne – Out
Landry Shamet - Out
*Please note that players not listed below are not necessarily a complete fade and any player listed can certainly be used as the MVP/Captain. These are merely suggestions for players to use when setting Showdown lineups.
MVP/CPT
Cole Anthony, PG (ORL) – Anthony is coming of a rough performance on Friday in the sense that he turned the ball over seven times, but he did shoot 50% from the field (six of 12) to go along with six rebounds and five assists. Tonight projects to be even a little more one-sided than last night as the Magic travel to Phoenix, and while it will likely be a rough night all around, Anthony will have to be heavily involved to ensure things don’t get too embarrassing.
Chris Paul, PG (PHX) – The Suns, at least in a very small dose, avenged their loss to Milwaukee last summer with a blowout victory on Thursday. Paul played a large part in that as he scored 17 points while handing out 19 assists and grabbing seven rebounds in a blowout victory. While I would expect the outcome to be similar tonight, there is the risk that Paul finishes closer to 30 minutes than 40. With that being said, he will still likely be the past player on the court tonight with the most upside.
Deandre Ayton, C (PHX) – After a few rough performances, Ayton bounced back as he put up 27 points while shooting 12 of 14 from the field and grabbing seven rebounds. Ayton is positioned to have a similar level of success tonight against Orlando in a favorable matchup.
Utility
Devin Booker, PG/SG (PHX) – Booker shouldn’t encounter much resistance tonight and we know that he is going to shoot a ton, but his efficiency can go in either direction as he only made six of 19 attempts from the field on Thursday. The concern here is that the Suns jump out to a large lead before Booker finds his stroke, but he also could put 25 points in the first half.
Wendell Carter Jr, PF/C (ORL) – Carter has been picking up the pace offensively as of late and he took things a little further last night with 22 points while grabbing nine rebounds. Orlando will continue to feature Carter and let him emerge, and the big man is also taking advantage of the opportunity.
Mikal Bridges, SG/SG (PHX) – With 19.8 points per game over his last six, Bridges is playing his best offensive basketball of the season as of late. Bridges generally adds around five rebounds and three assists per game, so we are looking at a solid floor at a reasonable price.
Franz Wagner, SF (ORL) – Wagner only took eight shots last night, making just three of them, and he has struggled with efficiency as of late. However, essentially by default, Wagner will play about 30 minutes and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him back with double digit shot attempts. The good news is that Wagner does enough across the other categories that we have a solid floor of 25 to 30 fantasy points.
Mo Bamba, C (ORL) – I’m not sure we will see this a nightly basis, but it was a nice development to see Bamba to take 13 shots; making six of them. Bamba also grabbed eight rebounds, and it has been a good sign to see him score in double digits in each of his last two games.
Cameron Johnson, SF/PF (PHX) – Despite coming off the bench, Johnson continues to play a large role with the Suns, and if things go sideways tonight, that should continue tonight. Johnson is coming off a 15-point, eight rebound performance against Milwaukee on Thursday, and I would expect the same tonight.
Dart Throws
Terrence Ross, SG/SF (ORL) – Ross got 25 minutes of run last night, and the swingman turned in a solid effort with 11 points along with three assists and two rebounds. Tonight’s game script should line up for something similar.
Aaron Holiday, PG/SG (PHX) – Despite averaging 6.1 points on the season, we have seen Holiday score in double figures when given the chance this season, and tonight could be the perfect opportunity for him to make his presence felt with the Suns.
Torrey Craig, SF/PF (PHX) – The price is a little higher than we would like it to be tonight, but we have to be prepared for the idea that this turns into a bench game for the Suns as they look to get Paul and Booker some rest.